Obtaining the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) credential is an excellent way to achieve recognition and demonstrate your knowledge and competence in managing hazardous materials. The CHMM credential is administered by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and is accredited for issuing professional certifications. In addition to the CHMM credential, IHMM offers certification for the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP®), the Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP), and the Certified Dangerous Goods Trainer (CDGT).

There are more than 16,000 environmental professionals who have achieved status as a CHMM. The State of Wisconsin just included CHMM as one of those certifications officially recognized

Becoming a CHMM entails meeting eligibility requirements, completing an application documenting your education and experience, achieving a passing score on the CHMM examination, agreeing to uphold and abide by the CHMM Code of Ethics, and paying applicable fees. Eligibility requirements for a CHMM include:

a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university, preferably with a major in hazardous materials management or a related field.

If you are considering becoming a CHMM, the Wisconsin CHMM Chapter sponsors an annual review course in preparation for the exam. Unofficial records indicate that over 80% of the individuals that have attended this review course have become CHMMs. The course is normally offered during the summer. Pay attention to future Environotes for more information on the 2018 course.

Glenn Fellman, the IHMM Executive Director, notified our WI CHMM certificants that Senate Bill 132 was signed into law by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on November 27, 2017. This law prohibits a person from using the following titles unless the person is certified by IHMM:

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP)

Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP)

IHMM and its Public Outreach Committee worked with partner organizations and volunteers across Wisconsin on this legislative initiative. Boots on the ground support from IHMM certificants, FET and ASSE members was key to getting the law passed. Thank you to everyone who contacted their local elected officials and who testified in Madison!

It was an excellent tour of Waste Management – Wisconsin’s landfill leachate treatment process at their Omega Hills Pretreatment Plant in Germantown, WI

on May 23, 2017. Presenters Larry Buechel and Garry Miller of WMWI gave an excellent hands-on overview of the process.

The tour included watching the liquid effluent from an anaerobic digester process go through a dissolved air floatation (DAF) unit, part of a several-step treatment chain that produced clear effluent for permitted discharge to the MMSD treatment system. In addition, the group observed a recently installed rotary vacuum filter drum process that allowed for a significant reduction in the volume of wet solids that had to be transported to disposal offsite.

Both Larry’s and Garry’s time were much appreciated! Many thanks to Liz Schuller for setting up this event!

The IHMM (Institute of Hazardous Materials Management) is currently working on protecting the credentials of the CHMM and others (CSP, CIH etc). They are targeting legislatures in Wisconsin and Florida. The Wisconsin bill was read on March 28, 2017 for the first time. Read More

Recertification for the CHMM credential requires a minimum of 200 points. Up to 100 of those can be earned by working full time in the industry; you can claim up to 20 points per year in the 5-year cycle. The remaining points, at least 100 of them, are earned by engaging in activities that are listed in the CHMM Recertification Blueprint.

Here is a way to earn some easy recertification points: Table 6 of the CHMM Recertification Blueprint allows up to 20 CMPs for each year of volunteer service in a leadership position in an organization which serves those who practice in the field of hazardous materials. Both FET and the CHMM Chapter are acceptable organizations. Since the points are given only for leadership positions, that includes chairing any of the many FET committees, volunteering as a Chapter officer, serving on the FET Board, or holding an elected position in the CHMM Chapter. Consider throwing your proverbial hat in the ring – there are two elected CHMM Chapter positions each year – President-Elect and Secretary. Here is the best part: there is no limit on the number of service points you can claim, so if you serve for five consecutive years, you have 100 easy points.

A great time was had at the February CHMM event on February 19th in Milwaukee. Sixteen attended. It was the Milwaukee Admirals against the Charlotte Checkers. After being down 1-0 less than a minute into the game, and down 4-2 for a part of the game, the Admirals tied it up in the 3rd period to send the game into a five minute, 3-on-3 sudden death overtime, with the Admirals coming out on top 5-4! The tour, including mention of the ammonia system used for making the ice, and the long history of the arena, proved very interesting. Many thanks to Melissa for setting up the event!

The WI CHMM Chapter annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 5th, following the HazWoper Refresher at the Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee West, 8201 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI. Please attend if you can – our members make our chapter stronger!

A recognition award was given to WI CHMM Chapter President, Kathy Bates, whose term ended in June 2016 during the FET Annual Meeting at Environment 2016. Cheryl Moran, FET president, presented Kathy with the award. Congratulations!

One easy way to help meet your re-certification requirements is to attend Environment 2016 at the Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center held on October 25-27, 2016 in Pewaukee, WI. By attending the 2-day conference and one of the Tuesday Professional Development Courses, you have the opportunity to earn CMPs toward required annual certification maintenance points for professional development activities for the 2016 calendar year.

Visit our website: www.fetinc.org to review each agenda. This conference meets the requirements as a qualified activity under IHMM’s Recertification Program for the CHMM credential. For more information on CHMM maintenance points, visit http://www.ihmm.org/certificants/chmm

Go to http://fetinc.org/website/conference-schedule-2/ and join us in October – plus don’t forget to stop by the WI CHMM Chapter booth at the exhibition and see the activities that are planned for CHMMs this year.